Houston Shakespeare Festival

This year's Houston Shakespeare Festival features two "very entertaining shows for the summer," says Brandy Robichau, associate director of community relations for the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance. First is Twelfth Night, one of Big Will's most beloved comedies. Remember Viola and Sebastian, the twins who get lost at sea and think each other dead until they eventually find each other in a lovely place called Illyria? This is a fun, gender-bending story of mistaken identity, and best of all, the Alley Theatre's much-adored Paul Hope will be playing the foppish yellow-stockinged Malvolio. (Hope will utter the famous "Some are born great " line.) Robichau also promises lots of action in Pericles, the second show on the bill. "There's adventure on the high seas and love lost and found," she says. And both productions have "a surrealist bent to them," as the designers have used both Dalí and Magritte paintings to shape their ideas. The festival runs through August 9. Miller Outdoor Theatre, 100 Concert Drive. For information and a full schedule, call 281-373-3386 or visit www.milleroutdoortheater.com. Free.
Fri., July 31; Sat., Aug. 1; Sun., Aug. 2; Tue., Aug. 4; Wed., Aug. 5; Thu., Aug. 6; Fri., Aug. 7; Sat., Aug. 8; Sun., Aug. 9, 2009